After picking a left-handed pitcher in both the fourth and fifth rounds, the Phillies selected David Martinelli, an outfielder out of Dallas Baptist University, with their sixth round pick, 167th overall.
Phillies select OF David Martinelli from Dallas Baptist in the sixth round.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) June 10, 2016
Martinelli, 21, just finished his junior season in college, a year that saw him hit .301 in 52 games with 14 doubles, six home runs, 37 RBI's, 42 runs scored, 33 strikeouts and 25 walks. In each of his first two seasons with Dallas Baptist, he ranked among the NCAA Division I leaders in strikeouts and also hit just .141 in the Cape Cod League last summer. In his three years combined, Martinelli slashed .280/.362/.486. Here's MLB.com's full scouting report:
In a down year for Texas college position players, Martinelli is a rare bright spot. He could go in the top three rounds, which would make him the highest-drafted hitter in Dallas Baptist history, ahead of fourth-rounders and future big leaguers Brandon Harper (1997) and Ryan Goins (2009).
Martinelli has flashed five-tool talent since his days at Waxahachie (Texas) High but also raised concerns with serious swing-and-miss issues, ranking among the NCAA Division I strikeout leaders in each of his first two seasons and hitting .141 with wood bats in the Cape Cod League last summer. He has been much more consistent at the plate this spring after improving his pitch recognition and his approach, cutting his whiff rate by almost two-thirds. He's driving the ball more consistently as well.
Martinelli has solid speed that plays up in center field thanks to this instincts. He has seen more time in right field since injuring his hamstring and missing three weeks in March, but he should be capable of playing center as a pro. He has enough arm strength to play all three spots in the outfield.
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